Universal automatic coupler

ABSTRACT

An automatic coupler comprising a shank and coupler head, said coupler capable of being coupled to a co-operative coupler of an identical construction, said coupler head having a buffer face provided with first and second projecting members, said first projecting member being a guide member, said second projecting member being a locking and guiding member, a locking means provided with said coupler and disposed within said first projecting member, a first opening provided above said second projecting member and adapted to receive the first projecting member of a co-operative coupler for guiding said two couplers, a second opening provided below said first projecting member and adapted to receive and lock, in conjunction with said locking means, the second projecting member of a co-operating coupler thereby resulting in two independent locking actions between two co-operating couplers, and an unlocking means for disengaging the locking means with the second projecting member and such that a single actuation of the unlocking means results in two independent unlocking actions between two co-operating couplers, said unlocking means being also a lock set means.

United States Patent [191 Tandon et al.

[ Nov. 27, 1973 UNIVERSAL AUTOMATIC COUPLER [22] Filed: Aug. 19, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 173,002

[52] US. Cl. 213/100 W, 213/75 R [51] Int. Cl. B6lg 3/10 [58] Field of Search 213/75 R, 100 R,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,655,066 4/1972 Metzger 213/100 W FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,303,718 8/1962 France 213/100 R 929,674 6/1955 Germany 213/100 R Primary ExaminerDrayton E. Hoffman Attorney-Hammond & Littell [57] ABSTRACT An automatic coupler comprising a shank and coupler head, said coupler capable of being coupled to a cooperative coupler of an identical construction, said coupler head having a buffer face provided with first and second projecting members, said first projecting member being a guide member, said second projecting member being a locking and guiding member, a lock ing means provided with said coupler and disposed within said first projecting member, a first opening provided above said second projecting member and adapted to receive the first projecting member of a cooperative coupler for guiding said two couplers, a second opening provided below said first projecting member and adapted to receive and lock, in conjunction with said locking means, the second projecting member of a co-operating coupler thereby resulting in two independent locking actions between two co-operating couplers, and an unlocking means for disengaging the locking means with the second projecting member and such that a single actuation of the unlocking means results in two independent unlocking actions between two co-operating couplers, said unlocking means being also a lock set means.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures UNIVERSAL AUTOMATIC COUPLER This invention relates to a universal automatic coupler adapted to be used for purposes of coupling two vehicles. In particular, though not restricted thereto, the coupler of this invention may be used for railway rolling stock.

An object of this invention is to propose a coupler which, when used in conjunction with a co-operating coupler, is capable of providing an automatic coupling action between two vehicles.

A further object of this invention is to propose a universal coupler.

Another object of this invention is to propose a coupler which is eccentric to the underframe of a vehicle, such as a railway rolling stock, and without the necessity of any reinforcement to the vehicle.

A further object of this invention is to propose a coupler which avoids movement of contact surfaces either in vertical or lateraldirection, thus reducing the wear of components.

Another object of this invention is to propose a coupler which provides a firm grip and coupling with cooperating coupler and thus enhancing the riding qualities of the coupled vehicles.

According to this invention there is provided a universal automatic coupler comprising a shank and conpler head, said coupler capable of being coupled to a co-operating coupler, said coupler head having a buffer face provided with a first and second coupling members projecting therefrom, a first opening provided above said second coupling member and adapted to receive the first coupling member of a co-operating coupler, a second opening provided below said first coupling member and adapted to receive the second coupling member of a co-operating coupler, locking means provided with thefirst coupling member andsuch that to lock within said second opening the second coupling member of a co-operating coupler, and an unlocking means adapted to disengage or lockset the coupling between the first coupling member and the second coupling member of a co-operating coupler, said unlocking means including a lock lifter provided with said first coupling member and a lock lifter provided or housed within said coupling member.

In accordance with this invention the locking means comprise a lock body adapted to fulcrum about and be rotatably held at one end to said first coupling member, said lock body rotatably held to a support member, a lock holder pivotally held to said support member, said support member adapted to receive an activation from the unlocking means for an unlocking operation, said lock body and lock holder adapted to project into said second opening and such that when said second coupling member of a co-operatingcoupler is introduced into said second opening, the lock body and lock holder is initially raised and thereafter falls and locks the second coupling member in said second opening.

The unlocking means comprise an operating lever, a first lever held to said operating'lever and adapted to raise said support member for an unlocking operation, a second lever held tosaid operating lever and adapted to raise said lock lifter.

The coupler of this invention can for example be used during the period of transition, with or incorporated in the coupler of Indian Pat. No. 110701. In such an instance, it would then be necessary to retain the yoke and hook arrangement of the coupler of Indian Pat. No. 110701.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will I be apparent from the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG.1 shows a sectional view of a coupler in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIGla shows the coupler of P161. when viewed from the direction'of arrow Y;

FlGlb shows a plan view of the coupler;

F162 shows the mechanism in a locked position;

FIGS: shows the mechanism in an unlocked position.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a first coupler 1 and a second coupler 2. For purposes of brevity, and since the mechanism of the first coupler 1 is identical to that of coupler 2, references are essentially illustrated with respect to the first coupler 1.

The first coupler 1 comprises a coupler head 3 and a shank 4. Any suitable construction of a shank 4 may be incorporated in the coupler of this invention. Reference is made in particular to the head 3 having a buffer face 5. As shown in the drawings, the buffer face 5 is provided with first coupling member 6 and second coupling member 7 projecting from said buffer face.

Below the coupling member 6, there is provided a first opening 8 and similarly above the second coupling member 7 there is provided an opening 9. Preferably, the'dimensions of the openings 8 and 9 are chosen such asto accommodate the coupling members 6a and 7a respectively of the second coupler 2.

The coupling members 6 and 7 are provided with inclined surfaces lo. The purpose and objective of providing such inclined surfaces It) is that the members 6 and 7 may suitably be self-guided into the relevant openings of the second coupler 2 during a coupling operation. Such instances arise when there is an unbalance of load between two vehicles to be coupled to each other, resulting thereby in the coupling members 6 and 7 being in a state of unalignment both in the vertical and horizontal directions with respect to the said relevant openings of coupler 2. However, with the provision of the enclosed surfaces 10, the alignment between for example the coupling member 6 and the opening of coupler 2 is automatically self-adjusted.

The coupler of this invention further comprises an uncoupling mechanism consisting of an operating lever or rod 11 adapted to be rotated by an operator. The lever 11 is rotatably mounted on the head 3 by means of any suitable arrangements such as a bracket 12. At one end of the lever 11, there is provided a fork lever 13 adapted to actuate, for purposes of uncoupling, a locking mechanism housed within said first coupling member 6. The lever 11 is further provided, at the opposite end, with a second fork lever 14 adapted to actuate an unlocking mechanism housed within said second coupling member 7.

The locking mechanism of this invention comprises a spindle 15 held at one end to said fork lever H3. The opposite end of said spindle 15 supports a bracket 16 having a pair of walls 17 depending therefrom. The bracket 16 further has a support member 18 mounted thereon and such that coil springs 19 embrace said member 18. The purpose of coil springs 19 is to provide, in addition to gravitational forces, a positive forward thrust to the bracket 16. A lock body 20 is rotatably held to the bracket 16 by means of a pin 21. The opposite end of the lock body 20 is fulcrumed about and rotatably supported by the coupling member 6 by means of a spindle 22. A projecting lug 23 is provided near said opposite end in order to take the load when said coupler is in an operable condition. In addition, .a further abutting edge or surface 30 is provided on the opposite face of said lock body in order to ensure a transfer of the load from the pin 22 to both said edge and projecting lug. The locking mechanism further comprises a lock lifter 24 held to said pin 21. The free end of said lock lifter is provided with a notch 25. As will be apparent from the drawings, the lock body 20 is provided with a locking surface 26.

Referring firstly to a locking operation by the automatic coupler mechanism of this invention, when the coupling member 7a of the second coupler is introduced within the opening 8, member 7a initially bears against and thereby raises the locking surface 26 and the lock lifter 24 and permitting thereby the said member 7a to be completely introduced within said opening 8. However, when the coupling member 7a rests within said hole 8, the lock lifter 24 and the lock body 20 is urged in the downward direction due to the pressure exerted by the coil springs 19 and due to the gravitationalforces and thereby providing a coupling between the coupling member 7a and the lock body 20.'In such a condition, the curved surface 27 of the lock lifter 24 externally embraces or surrounds the coupling member 70. However, if a lock set position is desired while uncoupling, the operating lever 11 is operated whereby the lock lifter 24 and the lock body 20 is raised and providing thereby an uncoupling action between the lock body 20 and the projecting member 7a. However, in such an instance, the lock lifter 24, subsequent to the operation of the operating lever 11, rests on the inclined or supper surface of the coupling member 7a until such time that the coupling member 7a is withdrawn from the opening 8. Furthenin order to ensure that the lock lifter 24 is urged in the downward direction subsequent to the step of uncoupling, an adjustable we claim:

1. An automatic coupler comprising a shank and coupler head, said coupler capable of being coupled to a cooperative couplerof an indentical construction, said coupler head having a buffer face provided with first and second projecting members, said first projecting member being a guide member, said second projecting member being a locking and guiding member, a locking means provided with said coupler and disposed within said first projecting member, a first opening provided above said second projecting member and adapted to receive the first projecting member of a cooperating coupler for guiding said two couplers, a second opening provided below said first projecting member and adapted to receive and lock, in conjunction with said locking means, the second projecting member of a cooperating coupler thereby resulting in two independent locking actions between two cooperating couplers, and an unlocking means for disengaging the locking means with the second projecting member and such that a single actuation of the unlocking means results in two independent unlocking actions between two cooperating striking surface 31 is provided on the inner surface of couplers, said unlocking means being also a lock set means.

2. An automatic coupler of claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a lock body rotatably held at one end in said first projecting member, said lock body rotatably hinged to a support member, said support member being adapted to receive an actuation from the unlocking means for an unlocking operation, said lock body and lock lifter adapted to project into said second opening of a cooperating coupler in a locking action such that when said second projecting member of a cooperating coupler is introduced into said second opening, the lock body and lock lifter are initially raised and thereaftenfall and lock the second projecting member in said second opening.

3. An automatic coupler of claim 2 wherein a spring is supported on said support member.

4. An automatic coupler of claim 2 wherein said unlocking means comprise an operating lever, a first lever hinged to said operating lever and adapted to raise said support member for an unlocking operation, a second level hinged to said operating lever and adapted to raise said lock lifter.

5. An automatic coupler of claim 1 wherein inclined surfaces with respect to the vertical plane are provided on said first and second projecting members.

a a a 

1. An automatic coupler comprising a shank and coupler head, said coupler capable of being coupled to a cooperative coupler of an indentical construction, said coupler head having a buffer face provided with first and second projecting members, said first projecting member being a guide member, said second projecting member being a locking and guiding member, a locking means provided with said coupler and disposed within said first projecting member, a first opening provided above said second projecting member and adapted to receive the first projecting member of a cooperating coupler For guiding said two couplers, a second opening provided below said first projecting member and adapted to receive and lock, in conjunction with said locking means, the second projecting member of a cooperating coupler thereby resulting in two independent locking actions between two cooperating couplers, and an unlocking means for disengaging the locking means with the second projecting member and such that a single actuation of the unlocking means results in two independent unlocking actions between two cooperating couplers, said unlocking means being also a lock set means.
 2. An automatic coupler of claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a lock body rotatably held at one end in said first projecting member, said lock body rotatably hinged to a support member, said support member being adapted to receive an actuation from the unlocking means for an unlocking operation, said lock body and lock lifter adapted to project into said second opening of a cooperating coupler in a locking action such that when said second projecting member of a cooperating coupler is introduced into said second opening, the lock body and lock lifter are initially raised and thereafter fall and lock the second projecting member in said second opening.
 3. An automatic coupler of claim 2 wherein a spring is supported on said support member.
 4. An automatic coupler of claim 2 wherein said unlocking means comprise an operating lever, a first lever hinged to said operating lever and adapted to raise said support member for an unlocking operation, a second level hinged to said operating lever and adapted to raise said lock lifter.
 5. An automatic coupler of claim 1 wherein inclined surfaces with respect to the vertical plane are provided on said first and second projecting members. 